Bliss-Leavitt Mark 4 torpedo

The Bliss-Leavitt Mark 4 torpedo was a Bliss-Leavitt torpedo developed and produced by the E. W. Bliss Company in 1908. It was the first American-built torpedo specifically designed to be launched from a submarine.[2] About 100 Mark 4s were purchased for experimental purposes by the United States Navy, which led to design improvements to the gyro and the reducing valve. It was used on submarines of the C and D classes. The Mark 4, and all other torpedoes designed before the Bliss-Leavitt Mark 7 torpedo, were considered obsolete and withdrawn from service in 1922.[1]

Bliss-Leavitt Mark 4 torpedo
TypeAnti-surface ship torpedo[1]
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1908–1922[1]
Used byUnited States Navy
Production history
DesignerFrank McDowell Leavitt
Designed1908[1]
ManufacturerE. W. Bliss Company
No. built100
VariantsMod 1[2]
Specifications
Massapproximately 1500 pounds[1]
Length197 inches (5.0 meters)[1]
Diameter17.7 inches (45 centimeters)[1]

Detonation
mechanism
War Nose Mk 1 contact exploder[1]

EngineVertical turbine[1]
Guidance
system
gyroscope[1]
Launch
platform
submarines[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Torpedo History: Bliss-Leavitt Torpedo Mk4". Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  2. ^ a b "United States of America Torpedoes Pre-World War II". Retrieved 24 June 2013.